Busia youth urged to change mindset

District leaders and national stakeholders have urged the youth to stop lamenting about unemployment and instead use their skills; talents and resources to start up income generating activities.

"Before we call upon government to intervene, we should know that the biggest challenge of the youth in this country is not unemployment but the issue of mindset and negative attitude," said the resident district commissioner (RDC) Busia, Hussen Kato Matanda.

Hussen Kato Matanda RDC Busia speaking during the dialogue photo by Agnes Kyotalengerire

Matanda was reacting to the issue of unemployment David Njoya Mayende the Busia youth general secretary raised in his presentation. Mayende said most of the youth in Busia district are academically equipped but the availability of jobs is minimal pushing them to resort to gambling as an alternative for survival.

Matanda argued that if our grandmothers sold their goats, chicken and created income generating activities and educated us, what about the youth?

"Instead of coming to town, the youth should find something to do, use a skill, a talent or the available resources to make something to the market and sell.

The deliberations were made during a pre-World Population Day dialogue held at La Palms Hotel in Busia district on early this week.

The dialogue that attracted district leaders, district youth council members and official from different organizations working with youth in eastern region focused on how district leaders can improve and strengthen youth competitiveness to enable them contribute towards development.

On the contrary, Geoffrey Macho, MP Busia Municipality said Busia district being on the boarder, it has got many young people without jobs.

"I would like to advise government to design programmes that involve the youth," Macho said.

He added that the youth livelihood programme (YLP) has not benefited the young people and instead they are being harassed to pay back the money. 

Responding to Macho's argument, Julius Maganda Wandera, state minister for East African Community Affairs said there is need to change the mind set of youth.

"We need to focus on how to get the youth working and creating their own jobs," Maganda said and quickly sited an example of a young girl at the University who turned his father's garage into a mushroom garden and is reaping big.

 "These are things that can be done and we just need to talk to the youth, "he said and urged district leaders to deliver the right message to the youth.

According to the Uganda national housing and population census, the 2017 projected youth population for Busia district stands at 73, 390 youth in the age brackets of 18 to 30.  The youth unemployment rate in Busia district is estimated at 26.2%.